Background

CD3 is a complex of proteins that directly associates with the T cell receptor (TCR). The TCR/CD3 complex of T-lymphocytes consists of either a TCR alpha/beta or TCR gamma/delta heterodimer coexpressed at the cell surface with the invariant subunits of CD3 labeled gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, and eta. The TCR recognizes antigens bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. TCR-mediated peptide-MHC recognition is transmitted to the CD3 complex, leading to the intracellular signal transduction. CD3 is considered to be a pan-T cell marker for detection of normal and neoplastic T cells. This anti-CD3 is a monoclonal antibody directed against the epsilon chain of human CD3 molecule.